Combination sash and screen latch



Feb. 4, 1936. J. N. VICTOR CQMBINATION SASH AND SCREEN LATCH Filed Dec. l5, 1.933

Patented Feb. 4, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 8 Claims.

This invention relates to latching mechanisms for swinging doors, windows, and the like and relates particularly to latching mechanisms adapted for use in connection with windows of the casement type having, in addition to the main swinging sash, a secondary sash which may be either a glass carrying or a wire screen carrying member,

One purpose of the invention to provide a novel latching mechanism whereby either or both sash members of a window of the easement type may be securely latched in fully closed position. The invention contemplates the use, in such a. mechanism, of a single latching member movably mounted upon the frame, which member is adapted to engage catches positioned on the main and auxiliary sashes respectively, thus eliminating the necessity of using two separate and disto door constructions in which two doors are mounted upon a single frame for swinging movement. Likewise, in adapting the invention to various types of casement windows or door constructions, it is possible to vary the design and arrangement of its component elements very considerably without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, as will be appreciated by one skilled in this art.

In the drawing a preferred embodiment of the invention is, illustrated by way of example.

Figure 1 is a horizontal section through a window of the easement type having the novel latching mechanism incorporated therein, the main and auxiliary sashes being shownin closed position;

Figure 2 is a section on line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is asection on line 3-3 of Figure 2; and

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a housing member within which certain parts of the latching, mechanism are retained.

The window selected for purposes of illustration' has a frame which may be of usual type in its major particulars, this frame, however, including a novel abutment member ID extending continuously around the same on its inner surface and which member comprises a common abutment or stop limiting the swinging movements of both the outer sash It and the inner sash l2, this last mentioned sash preferably carrying a screen l3. The outer sash is mounted for swinging movement about. a vertical axis upon supporting hinges l4, and the screen carrying sash is supported for swinging movement relatively to the frame and to the sash about a parallel and closely adjacent axis by means of hinges l5 It will be understood, of course, that the sash and screen may be independently manipulated, either or both being moved to open position or either or both maintained in closed position.

To permit operation of the sash, without openmg; the screen, any suitable sash operating mechanism (not illustrated) may be employed. At one point the abutment member ID is interrupted and a housing member [6, referably of cast metal, placed in the gap between the adjacent ends of the abutment, this housing being so designed that itsouter surfaces I6, [6 and Hi comprise continuations of the adjacent surfaces of the abutment. member, and a portion of the housing extending laterally to lie behind a shoulder 10' of the frame. Within the housing [6 is positioned a pivot pin ll, preferably having threaded engagement with a cylindrical aperture formed in the wall of the housing, and upon this pivot pin is mounted the latch member [8 for rocking movement about the pin in a vertical plane transverse to the window.

Upon the outer end of the rockable latch member i8 is mounted a catch engaging pin [9 which is adapted to engage a catch anchored to the adjacent side rail of the sash ll. Catch 20 is formed as a, downwardly opening hook member, the inner .edge 20 of which is curved and in reality constitutes a wedging or camming surface, the pin l9 first engaging this surface adjacent tlE lower end or point of the catch, when the latch member is operated'w'ith the sash in not quite fully closed position, the pin I9 traveling upwardly along this surface as the latch member is moved from full-line position (Figure 2) to dotted-dine position, and exerting a camming action on the catch tending to draw the sash firmly into contact with the continuous abutment ID.

A second catch is mounted upon the screen member 12, this catch being indicated at 22 and comprising essentially a straight metallic member anchored securely in the rail of the screen with its end projecting into the plane of movement of the latch member. As will be seen from an inspection of the drawing, the latch member is provided with a curved handle portion l8, which handle portion has terminal shoulders I8 located relatively close to the pivot pin I1. 50 long as the latch member is in the position shown in full lines in Figure 2, it is completely disengaged from both the catch 20 and the catch 22, but when it is moved. from full-line position to dotted line position, it operatively engages both of these catches,'-the pinl9 engaging catch 26, as before explained, and the shoulder I8 of'the latch member descending and engaging the outer surface of catch 22, as indicated in dotted line in Figure 2, thus holding the catch 22 between this shoulder of the latch member'and the wall" of the housing member 16. By a singlerocliing movement of the latch member, therefore, both catches may be engaged andboth sash members locked in closed position, or both sash'members that, when lifted to disengaging position as shown in full lines in Figure 2, there is considerable clearance between the end of the catch 22 and the side of the handle as the screen is moved to open position. 1

By utilizing the combination latching mechanism shown, the cost of fabricating "and installing two separate latching mechanisms is avoided,

and the, device is furthermore inconspicuous and ornamental. By reason of the fact that the housing l6 has the same sectionasthe stop member lD, it may be conveniently applied and, after being afiixed, does not project in any manner beyond the stop,member to catch clothing, etc. Furthermore, inasmuch as the housing has a portion extendingxin rear of shoulder H! of the frameand resting snugly thereagainst, it cannot bemoved or dislodged by thepull of catch 29 as lever l8 is manipulated to effect the final closure ofthesashll. N 1 p Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired, to be secured by Letters Patent is: c r 7 v 3 1. A latching mechanism adapted to. be used with windows of the casement! type having two swinging sashes which are disposed in parallel planes when closed, comprising, in combination, two catch members adapted to be secured respectively to the free edges of such sashes, a support adapted to be securedt'o' the window frame mem ber and having a portion which lies between the sashes when the sashes are in closed position, and a latch member pivotally mounted upon said sup:- port for swinging movements about an axis parallel'to the planes of the sashes when closed and having spaced catch engaging portions which may be brought into latching engagement with both catches'when moved in one direction and which may be moved in the opposite direction to disengage such'catches. t

2. A latching mechanism adaptedto be used with windows of the casement type having two swinginglsashes which are disposed in 'parallel planes when closed, 'c omprising' 'in combination, two catch members adapted "to be" secured respectively to the'free edges of such sashes, 2. Support adapted to be secured to the window frame member and having a portion which lies between the sashes when the sashes are in closed position, and a latch member pivotally mounted upon said support and having spaced catch engaging portions which may be brought into engagement with both catches when moved in one direction and which may be, moved in the opposite direction to disengage such catches, said latch member being positioned so as to lie beyond the free edge of one sash and the catch'associated with said sash projecting beyond the edge thereof and into the path of movement of the latch member. ,3. A latching mechanism adapted to be used with windows of the easement type having two swinging sashes which are disposed in parallel planes when closed, comprising, in combination, two catch members adapted to be secured respectively to the free edges of such sashes, a support ber and having a portion which lies between the sashes when the sashes are in closed position, and

4. A latching mechanism adapted to be used with windows of the casement type having two swinging sashes which are disposed in spaced parallel planes when closed and adapted to open in opposite directions, comprising, in combination, a latch member pivotally mounted on the window frame adjacent the free edges of said sashes torock about an axis intermediate of and parallel with the planes of said sashes when closed, a catch member adapted to project from the free edge of each sash adjacent said latch member, and spaced catch engaging portions on said latch member which may be brought into latching engagement with both of said catch members when said member is moved in one direction and. disengaged from such catch members when moved in the opposite direction.

5. A latching mechanism adapted to be used V closed, a catch member adapted to project from the free edge of each sash adjacent said latch member, and spaced catch engaging portions on said latch member which may be brought into latching engagement with both of said catch members when said member is moved in one direction and disengaged from such catch mem-' bers when moved inthe opposite direction, said catch engaging members being disposed on opposite sides of said axis whereby one of them is swung upwardly into engagement with its associated catch member and the other is at the same time swung downwardly into engagement with its catch member.

6. A latching mechanism adapted to be used with windows of the casement type having two swinging sashes which are disposed in spaced parallel planes when closed and adapted to open in opposite directions, comprising, in combination, a latch member pivotally mounted on the window frame adjacent the free edges of said sashes to rock about an axis intermediate of and parallel with the planes of said sashes when closed, a catch member adapted to project from the free edge of each sash adjacent said latch member, and spaced catch engaging portions on said latch member which may be brought into latching engagement with both of said catch members when said member is moved in one direction and disengaged from such catch members when moved in the opposite direction, one of said catch members adapted to project outwardly from one of said sashes in the plane of said sash so as to intersect the plane of movement of said latch member, the other of said catch members adapted to project inwardly transversely of the plane of said sashes and parallel with the plane of movement of said latch member.

7. A latching mechanism adapted to be used with windows of the easement type having two swinging sashes which are disposed in parallel planes when closed, comprising, in combination, two catch members adapted to be secured respectively to the free edgesof such sashes, a support adapted to be secured to the window frame member and having a portion which lies between the sashes when the sashes are in closed position, a latch member pivotally mounted upon said support and having spaced catch engaging portions which may be brought into latching engagement with both catches when moved in one direction and which may be moved in the opposite direction to disengage such catches, said support being formed with a recess adapted to receive one of said catch members, and an abutment portion on said support adapted for contact with the sash which carries said last named catch member.

8. A latching mechanism adapted to be used with windows of the casement type having two swinging sashes which are disposed in parallel planes when closed, comprising, in combination, two catch members adapted to be secured respectively to the free edges of such sashes, a support adapted to be secured to the window frame member and having a portion which lies between the sashes when the sashes are in closed position, a latch member pivotally mounted upon said support and having spaced catch engaging portions which may be brought into latching engagement with both catches when moved in one direction and which may be moved in the opposite direction to disengage such catches, said support being formed with a recess adapted to receive one of said catch members and to house the cooperating catch engaging portion, an abutment portion on said support adapted for contact with the associated sash, and another abutment surface on said support adapted to be contacted by the other of said catch members when its associated sash is closed, said last named catch member being thus adapted to be retained between said surface and the other of said catch engaging portions of the latch member.

JOSEPH N. VICTOR. 

